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Z96.659
ICD-10-CM
Total Knee Replacement

Find comprehensive information on Total Knee Replacement (TKR) diagnosis, including clinical documentation requirements, ICD-10-CM codes (e.g., 0SRD0JZ, 0SRD0KZ), medical coding guidelines, postoperative care, and rehabilitation. This resource offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals, medical coders, and patients seeking information on TKR procedures, complications, and recovery. Learn about arthroplasty, knee osteoarthritis, and prosthetic joint management related to Total Knee Replacement surgery.

Also known as

Knee Arthroplasty
TKR

Diagnosis Snapshot

Key Facts
  • Definition : Surgical replacement of a damaged knee joint with a prosthesis.
  • Clinical Signs : Severe knee pain, stiffness, swelling, limited mobility, difficulty with daily activities.
  • Common Settings : Hospital operating room, outpatient surgical center, orthopedic clinic.

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to AAPC Z96.659 Coding
0SRD0JZ-0SRD4JZ

Replacement of right knee joint

Codes for total replacement of the right knee joint.

0SRG0JZ-0SRG4JZ

Replacement of left knee joint

Codes for total replacement of the left knee joint.

0SRC0JZ-0SRC4JZ

Replacement of knee joint, unspecified

Codes for total knee replacement when side is not specified.

T84.0

Mechanical complication of knee prosthesis

Covers complications like loosening, dislocation, or mechanical failure.

Code-Specific Guidance

Decision Tree for

Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.

Is this a total knee replacement?

  • Yes

    Unilateral or bilateral?

  • No

    Do not code as total knee replacement. Review clinical documentation for correct diagnosis.

Code Comparison

Related Codes Comparison

When to use each related code

Description
Total Knee Replacement
Partial Knee Replacement
Knee Revision Arthroplasty

Documentation Best Practices

Documentation Checklist
  • Total knee replacement documentation checklist
  • ICD-10-PCS code 0SRD
  • CPT codes 27447, 27446
  • Laterality (left or right knee)
  • Diagnosis: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Pre-op and post-op diagnosis details
  • Severity and chronicity of condition
  • Implant details (if applicable)

Coding and Audit Risks

Common Risks
  • Implant Coding Error

    Incorrect code assignment for the specific knee prosthesis used, leading to claim denials or underpayments. Relevant for medical coding, CDI, and healthcare compliance.

  • Laterality Documentation

    Missing or unclear documentation of which knee (right or left) was replaced, impacting coding accuracy and reimbursement. Crucial for medical coding, CDI, and healthcare compliance.

  • Complication Coding Gap

    Failure to capture and code intraoperative or postoperative complications, resulting in lost revenue and inaccurate quality reporting. Key for medical coding, CDI, and healthcare compliance.

Mitigation Tips

Best Practices
  • Code accurately: Use current ICD-10-PCS codes for TKR.
  • Document TKR indications, pre-op state, and post-op plan.
  • Query physicians for clarity if TKR documentation is vague.
  • Follow compliance rules for TKR pre-authorization and billing.
  • Educate staff on TKR documentation best practices for CDI.

Clinical Decision Support

Checklist
  • Verify OA diagnosis: ICD-10-CM M17, document severity & impact
  • Confirm non-surgical options failed: Documented PT, NSAIDs, injections
  • Assess patient suitability: BMI, comorbidities, surgical risk factors
  • Pre-op checklist complete: Labs, imaging, anesthesia consult, consent

Reimbursement and Quality Metrics

Impact Summary
  • Total Knee Replacement reimbursement hinges on accurate ICD-10-PCS and CPT coding, impacting hospital revenue cycle management.
  • Quality metrics like surgical site infection rate, length of stay, and HCAHPS scores affect TKR reimbursement under value-based care.
  • Timely and accurate coding and documentation for complications or revisions are crucial for appropriate TKR reimbursement.
  • Robust clinical documentation improvement programs enhance coding accuracy and optimize TKR reimbursement and quality reporting.

Streamline Your Medical Coding

Let S10.AI help you select the most accurate ICD-10 codes for . Our AI-powered assistant ensures compliance and reduces coding errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions and Answers

Q: What are the most effective evidence-based pain management protocols for total knee replacement patients in the acute postoperative period?

A: Effective postoperative pain management after total knee replacement (TKR) is crucial for patient comfort, early mobilization, and successful rehabilitation. Evidence-based protocols often employ a multimodal approach, combining regional anesthesia (such as femoral nerve blocks or adductor canal blocks), opioid analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local anesthetic infiltration. Peripheral nerve blocks can provide excellent pain relief while minimizing opioid use, reducing the risk of opioid-related side effects. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols also emphasize early mobilization and the use of multimodal analgesia to facilitate faster recovery. Explore how incorporating regional anesthesia and ERAS protocols can optimize pain control and improve patient outcomes after TKR. Consider implementing a standardized pain assessment tool to monitor pain levels and adjust the analgesic regimen accordingly.

Q: How can clinicians effectively differentiate between infection and aseptic loosening as causes of persistent pain after total knee replacement surgery?

A: Differentiating between infection and aseptic loosening following total knee replacement can be challenging, as both present with pain. However, several key factors aid in accurate diagnosis. Infection typically presents with erythema, warmth, swelling, fever, and elevated inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR). Aseptic loosening, caused by wear of the implant or mechanical failure, often exhibits gradual onset pain, possibly associated with instability or mechanical symptoms like clicking or grinding. Radiographic imaging, such as plain radiographs and nuclear medicine bone scans, can be helpful. Aspiration and synovial fluid analysis are crucial for identifying infection. If infection is suspected, prompt treatment with antibiotics and potentially revision surgery is necessary. For aseptic loosening, revision surgery might be indicated depending on the severity of symptoms and radiographic findings. Learn more about the latest diagnostic criteria for periprosthetic joint infection and consider implementing a systematic approach to evaluate persistent pain after TKR.

Quick Tips

Practical Coding Tips
  • Code primary TKR diagnosis 0SRG0JZ
  • Verify laterality: Left or Right
  • Document implant details for specificity
  • Check for complications, code additionally
  • Review CCI edits for bundled codes

Documentation Templates

Patient presents with complaints of chronic knee pain, stiffness, and functional limitations consistent with osteoarthritis.  Symptoms include pain exacerbated by weight-bearing activities, crepitus, reduced range of motion, and difficulty with activities of daily living such as walking, stair climbing, and rising from a chair.  Radiographic imaging reveals advanced degenerative changes in the knee joint, including joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation, and subchondral sclerosis.  Conservative treatments such as physical therapy, pain medication, and injections have provided insufficient relief.  After discussing risks and benefits, the patient has elected to undergo total knee arthroplasty.  Diagnosis:  Osteoarthritis, knee.  Surgical plan:  Total knee replacement.  Preoperative evaluation including medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests will be completed.  The procedure will involve removing damaged cartilage and bone and replacing them with a prosthetic implant.  Postoperative care will include pain management, physical therapy, and rehabilitation to restore function and mobility.  Patient education regarding postoperative recovery, potential complications such as infection, DVT, and implant loosening, and long-term prognosis has been provided.  ICD-10 code:  M17.1 (Primary osteoarthritis, knee).  CPT code:  27447 (Total knee arthroplasty).  Keywords: total knee replacement, knee pain, osteoarthritis, arthroplasty, knee surgery, joint replacement, prosthetic implant, physical therapy, rehabilitation, postoperative care, complications, DVT, infection, implant loosening, ICD-10 M17.1, CPT 27447, medical billing, coding, EHR documentation.